February 16-17, 2013Out and About Wright: Frank Lloyd Wright and Florida ModernTampa/Lakeland/Sarasota, Florida>>REGISTER NOW

Situated in the heart of central Florida, Lakeland is—at first glance—an unlikely setting for the largest complex of Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings anywhere in the world. But what visitors to the Florida Southern campus discover is a series of perfectly integrated buildings, creating what then college president Dr. Ludd Spivey hoped would be a “college of tomorrow.” Over 70 years since the first structure was completed, Florida Southern still remains as vibrant as ever, ranked as the nation’s “Most Beautiful Campus” in The Princeton Review’s 2012 edition of its annual college guidebook, “The Best 376 Colleges.”

Join the Conservancy on Saturday, February 16 for an all-day tour of Florida Southern College. Participants will have an opportunity to tour all ten of Wright’s original structures, including the incomparable Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel (1938), and the recently restored Waterdome (1938, 1948). A new visitor’s center, adapted from a Usonian design by Wright for faculty housing, and a new humanities buildingby Robert A.M. Stern, architect and Dean of the Yale School of Architecture, will also been seen. In addition, Jeff Baker, noted restoration architect, will provide an overview of the restoration and master plan for the campus.

The Conservancy will provide bus transportation to and from the Hampton Inn Ybor City to Lakeland as well as lunch at Florida Southern College. The day will conclude with an evening reception at the Henry B. Plant Museum—Henry B. Plant Museum—formerly the Tampa Bay Hotel (1891)—a very distinctive structure built in the Moorish revival style.

A special group rate of $149/night is available at the Hampton Inn. The hotel is located in the historic Ybor City neighborhood, a National Historic Landmark District known as Tampa’s Latin Quarter. Ybor City is also noted for its turn of the century architecture and cigar-making legacy. To make reservations, contact the hotel directly (813.247.6700) and reference the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy room block. Also, make air travel reservations soon since flights to Tampa are likely to increase in price or fill up as the holiday weekend approaches.

While in town, take advantage of the long President’s Day weekend with an additional tour on Sunday, February 17. See firsthand what makes Sarasota an architectural mecca by touring several Sarasota School homes, including the Harkevy House (Paul Rudolph); Putterman Residence (Carl Abbott); Rae Residence (Ralph Twitchell); and Hiss Studio (Tim Siebert). The day will also include commentaries by architects Carl Abbott, a former student of Paul Rudolph; Joe King, who just authored a book on Paul Rudolph; and Greg Hall, a noted local architect.

The bus will bring participants to the Tampa International Airport by 4:30 p.m. on Sunday before returning to the Hampton Inn Ybor City.

There will also be an evening reception for Leadership Circle members and the board of directors on Friday, February 15 at Paul Rudolph’s Umbrella House, described as “One of the five most remarkable houses of the mid twentieth century” by Architectural Digest.

Registration deadline is Friday, February 1. Register soon to ensure that you do not miss out on these very special experiences!